ALL 73 charges have been proven in a case against a Violet Town woman accused of wildlife cruelty and cruelty offences related to the poisoning of native birds, mostly wedge-tailed eagles, and illegal possession of protected wildlife carcasses at her property in 2019.
In a brief hearing at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday, presiding Magistrate Faram released his reasoning for judgement of 47 contested charges.
His Honour was unable to conclude that the woman was solely responsible for the offending. However, he was satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the woman was involved by intentionally assisting and/or encouraging the commission of the offences.
It was determined that there was an illegal baiting program conducted on the woman’s farm and the woman alone or with members of her family engaged in the unlawful baiting and killing of wildlife on the farm.
His Honour found that the woman laid baits that were found in paddocks in 2019 or was complicit in doing so, and that she must have had knowledge of or involvement in the destruction of the birds.
The Magistrate’s decision follows a nine-day contested hearing in December 2023, which detailed a conservation regulator and multi-agency investigation into reports of deceased wedge-tailed eagles found in the Violet Town area and involved extensive evident and witness testimony.
The woman faces sentencing for a total of 73 offences, after pleading guilty to an additional 26 charges last year for the illegal possession of wildlife kept in her freezer, which were discovered during a search warrant on her premises.
His Honour Magistrate Faram has adjourned the matter to September 6, 2024, at the Shepparton Magistrate’s Court for a further mention with a view to handing down his sentence.
The community can report wildlife crime to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.
